World slowly waking up to what Asia has known for years
14-Jun-2013 - It is no secret Malaysia has a strict halal verification process and its certification is accepted across all Muslim countries, including the Middle East. But why did the country embark on a policy to tame the standards beast.
India’s halal story is one of missed opportunities
14-Jun-2013 - The impression I have always had when travelling abroad is that people overseas think of India as a Hindu-dominated country with a minority sprinkling of other religions. While that its true in essence, it is a fallacy when you talk in numbers.
UK omega-3 heart attack revision 'disappointing and somewhat misguided'
14-Jun-2013 - A public body that advises the UK National Health Service (NHS) has revised its position that heart attack patients can benefit from omega-3 consumption to prevent further attacks, in a move labeled “misguided” by the omega-3 sector.
Chobani's strained (not Greek) yoghurt gets UK revamp
14-Jun-2013 - Greek yoghurt giant Chobani has reintroduced its ‘strained’ yoghurt in the UK after a court ruled that it was misleading consumers by calling its US-produced yoghurt ‘Greek’.
EU health claims for fructose and alpha-cyclodextrin become law
14-Jun-2013 - Two ingredients – fructose and alpha-cyclodextrin – can now carry claims that they lead to a lower blood glucose rise, as the European Union adopts its latest batch of article 13 health claims.
Asia needs real halal standards before it can compete with the West
10-Jun-2013 - When you are catering to 1.8bn Muslim shoppers in a market that, according to The Economist, is likely to grow by 35% by 2030, there is bound to be a degree of fragmentation, but when it comes to halal, it is often more a case of disorganisation.
FSA seeks views on chia seed novel foods approval
10-Jun-2013 - The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has asked for comments on a draft opinion assessing chia seeds under novel foods regulation.
Weak UK bee study does not affect neonicotinoid conclusions: EFSA
05-Jun-2013 - The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has said that weaknesses in a recent study published by UK authorities mean it will not affect conclusions on the links between pesticides and bee health.
New EU approved additives list comes in to force tomorrow
31-May-2013 - The new list of approved additives for food and drink products will come in to force across the European Union (EU) from June 1st.
Significant action already taken to combat conflicts of interest, says EFSA
30-May-2013 - EFSA says it has already made significant changes to prevent future conflicts of interests arising, but adds that it will give ‘careful and detailed consideration’ to new recommendations made by the EU Ombudsman.
EU Parliament set for June 11 vote on PARNUTS reform
30-May-2013 - The long-awaited reform of EU rules governing ‘special’ foods like baby and gluten-free foods, is imminent with a June 11 vote to mandate the changes – and most stakeholders satisfied with the likely ratification.
Case closed? EFSA failed on conflict of interests case, finds EU Ombudsman
29-May-2013 - The European Food Safety Authority failed to take adequate measures to prevent conflict of interests arising from a major 'revolving doors' case in 2008, according to a final EU Ombudsman ruling on the case.
EFSA finds BASF pesticide also poses bee risk
28-May-2013 - The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has added a fourth insecticide to its list of chemicals suspected of playing a role in declining bee populations.
EFSA issues guidance on GM animal risk assessment
23-May-2013 - The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has issued guidance on how to evaluate the introduction of genetically modified (GM) animals in the European Union.
EU to ban flavouring compound
23-May-2013 - The European Commission and member states have voted to ban a flavouring compound, following an EFSA opinion on its safety published last week, which found that the ingredient was of concern.
Food industry welcomes EU package to tackle VAT fraud
23-May-2013 - Industry trade group FoodDrinkEurope has welcomed an anti-VAT fraud package under discussion in the EU, saying that the food and drink sector is greatly impacted by VAT tax fraudsters.
Could tax breaks for healthy food sales work better than food taxes?
20-May-2013 - Incentivising the sale of healthy foods at the supermarket checkout could be more effective than food taxation for improving food choices, suggests a letter published in the BMJ.
Health groups urge action on nutrient profiling
17-May-2013 - A group of European health organisations has urged European Commission president José Manuel Barroso to issue a proposal on nutrient profiling as part of a wider EU goal to reduce premature deaths.
EFSA finds flavouring substance safety concern
17-May-2013 - The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has found that a flavouring compound used to give a burnt, nutty flavour to confectionery, baked goods and some savoury products is a safety concern for human health.
Global healthcare systems are failing; nutrition policy needs to change now, says leading academic
16-May-2013 - Nations and populations are in peril of being swamped by the cost of their healthcare systems unless a severe nutrition policy rethink can occur, says a leading academic.